Danish Security and Intelligence Service
| Politiets Efterretningstjeneste | |
Logo of The Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET)
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| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | 1939 |
| Preceding agency |
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| Jurisdiction | Government of Denmark |
| Headquarters | Søborg, Århus and Odense |
| Employees | 780 (2010) |
| Annual budget | 800 mio. Kr. |
| Minister responsible | |
| Agency executive |
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| Parent agency | Ministry of Justice of Denmark |
| Website | The Danish Security and Intelligence Service |
Politiets Efterretningstjeneste (PET) (official name in English: Danish Security and Intelligence Service, abbreviated DSIS) is the national security & intelligence agency of Denmark. The agency focuses solely upon national security while foreign intelligence operations is handled by Forsvarets Efterretningstjeneste – the foreign intelligence service administrsted by the Danish Royal Defense.
The stated overall purpose of PET is to "prevent, investigate and counter operations and activities that pose or may pose a threat to the preservation of Denmark as a free, democratic and safe country."
The primary duties of the PET are counter terrorism, counter extremism, counter espionage and security.
Counter terrorism does not only encompass stopping terrorist attacks upon Denmark and Danish interests but also to ensure Denmark isn’t used as a base of operations for carrying out terrorist attacks in and against other countries. Furthermore, PET attempt to gather evidence to ensure that terrorists are prosecuted. Denmark is obliged by UN and EU resolutions to support other states in prosecuting terrorists.
Aside from the three main areas PET also provides counselling to Danish companies on how to avoid espionage (but is only directly involved in countering industrial espionage if an agency of a foreign government is involved). It has a role as national security advisor to the Danish government, public authorities and other branches of the police along with a number of other activities common to domestic security organisations.
PET also provides bodyguards for Danish royalty, politicians and other persons.
PET is a part of the Danish police but reports directly to the Minister of Justice.
The headquarters is in Copenhagen, and they have offices in Århus and Odense located in the local police stations. Because the service is integrated with the Danish police, they have representatives in all police precincts of Denmark.
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